Nigeria’s female cricket team begins World Cup chase in Botswana

The Nigerian women’s cricket team will on Thursday begin the chase for a spot in the ICC women’s T20 World Cup in Gaborone, Botswana.

Nigeria is grouped with Namibia, Cameroon, Uganda and Sierra Leone in group B of the ICC Women’s T20 Africa qualifying series where the overall winner would pick the sole ticket available.

Group A consists of Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, Tanzania and Mozambique.

Etim Blessing, the most experienced player on the Nigerian team, is expected to lead a side that Mariam Suleiman, leader of the Nigerian delegation, said is destined for greatness.

“The team was camped for close to a month in Benin City and enjoyed top class training with some of the best female handlers in the country. This is also against the fact that they featured at the Kwibuka Invitational Tournament in Rwanda earlier in the year, which exposed them to tough match situations,” Suleiman said.

“They are more prepared and the only justification for their hard work is for them to grind out results in the matches ahead. Since their last outing they have seen positive changes including few joggling in the team’s line up, and all these we believe will come together for us from our first match against Sierra Leone.”

The Nigerian team comprises of Blessing Etim (c), Kehinde Abdulquadri, Taiwo Abdulquadri, Omonye Asika, George Chinyenum, Mary Desmond and Joy Efosa.

Others are Abigail Igbobie (wk), Miracle Imimole, Piety Lucky, Agatha Obulor, Racheal Samson, Esther Sandy and Salome Sunday.

Speaking about the team’s preparedness, Etim said that the team is ready to face the tough competition ahead.

“We have done a lot of work individually and collectively and I believe the event will be one of our best outings yet as we eagerly look forward to hitting the field,” Etim, who is the captain, said.

“We were motivated by the huge support from the Edo State Government and the state Cricket Association during our one-month stay at camp. It is just natural that we show our appreciation by putting up a show they would be proud of and we are determined to make everybody back home proud.”

Nigeria will take on Sierra Leone, Namibia and Uganda on Thursday, Friday and Saturday respectively and would observe rest on Sunday before tackling Cameroon in their final group game on Monday.